The Independent-News, Volume 110, Number 23, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 8 November 1984 — Page 4

4

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - NOVEMBER 8, 1984

[EDITORIALS!

GOOD DAY FOR INCUMBENTS The general election is over and for some time now the socalled experts will be examining the results and giving their interpretations of “how and why” the results are the way they are. There are many thoughts about what happens and why, not just the fact a person won or lost. In our local area, it was a good day for the incumbents. It appears that almost all of those on the ballots locally, who were in office and chose to retain that office, won. This of course starts at the top with the presidential race right on down through the state and county. That is not all that surprising for this area. There are some things that will have to happen in the coming years. It is now too late for the “image” factor to continue to dominate and the time for the “issue” factor to become important. This was probably the number one asset in the presidential race this year ... the image factor. President Reagan has projected the right kind of image over his years and continues to read his scripts well, concentrate on his strong points and continue to woo the public. However, in his own words of Tuesday night when he said “You ain’t seen nothing yet”, some things will have to be seen other than the image in the coming tour year term. The state and county will remain under similar control as has been the case the past years. Not much was done to revamp the offices that affect us locally. There were some anxious moments for a while, but when the vote is finally tallied and the results in, it was a great day for the incumbents as far as local elections are concerned. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE SECRET BALLOT? Have you every wondered . . . “What ever happened to the secret ballot?” After watching the television Tuesday evening, not necessarily just for the election returns, this question came across my mind. lam one who likes to watch the local news each evening and do appreciate all phases ... the news, weather and sports, the basic and recent news that is (not always all the investigative and other reports that the various stations carry to help fill the time). And Tuesday was no exception. Yes, I was very aware there was an election on that day, in fact I was also aware that the polls only start to close at 6:00 p.m. (our time) in a couple of states and then steadily every hour thereafter across the nation. However, with enough election coverage on the local news between 6:00 and 6:30 (when no way possible could very many precincts report in) we were already getting “results” of some races. And then, come 6:30 and Dan Rather and the CBS Evening News, more to my suprise and shock did I hear about race after race that was decided (to say the least the presidential battle) despite the fact that only Indiana and Kentucky had closed their polls at that time. Not only did I hear the “results” of some of these races, but a breakdown of votes that I personally feel goes a step too far. They were reporting how the black vote went in this state and how the blue collar vote went in that state ... the Catholic vote in this state and the traditional Deomcratic vote in another state. They had details on voting that as far as I am concerned, never need to be broken down. The ethnic groups, religious groups, the blue collar workers, the white collar workers, the Southern Democrats, the various sections’ white and black vote, the 18-24 year olds and the senior citizens. Maybe I am missing the point, but it seems that somewhere along the line, the secret part of the ballot is gone. It is true this person and that individual will “talk” or “brag” about his vote in isolated cases, but when this is a network news item, even long before the polls close in most parts of the country, it just seems that the media has gone too far. Wouldn’t it be different . . . and nice too ... if in one general election no vote totals would be given out until the las: polls have closed. Isn’t it a fact that the same winners will result on Wednesday or Thursday as do at 6:13 or 6:32 on Tuesday night? Are the totals going to change if the secret is put back in the ballot for just a short period of time? I guess that the length and expense of the election might just wear too thin with me, but it does seem that the fuss, hustle and competitiveness of the major networks to outdo the others just a little, has invaded too much into what is supposed to be a privilege to be respected, the right of a secret ballot. 1 for one would like to see it return once again! <5^E ME MBEKIS WHEN... IS'

1974 Thanks to you the United Way is working! The employees and businesses of Lincoln Township have pledged a total of $1,290.7$ as of October 29 for the United Way Campaign making this 115 percent

The goal was $1,125.00. • Turkey Days, a promotion sponsored by the Independent News, is being held this week November r 8 and 9, in Walkerton * ith 2b area businesses participating Businesses participating include Har-

vey s, Williams Supply Co., Wilcox, Heil s Restaurant, The Brass Lion. Karn IV & Appliance, Far mers State Bank. Walkerton Dairy Queen. Dave & Ray's, Jacob Drugs, Mahoney-Mann Chev.Olds, Kabelin Hardware, Mini Shop. Fabric Care Center, Feece Floral Shoppe, Chuck’s Barber Shop. DeWayne Pavey Insurance. Walkerton Beauty Center, Her Place. Walkerton Skelgas Service, Janet's Beauty Salon, Al-N-Dor Restaurant, Dad & Lad’s, Bill Rhodes Barber Shop, Walkerton Nursing Home and The Independ-ent-News. The Walkerton Area Junior Miss will be crowned in three weeks, November 23, at John Glenn High School. At the market sirloin steak was selling for $1.59 a pound. T-bone steak at $1.69 a pound; porterhouse steak at $1.79 a pou r d; round tip roast at $1.39 a dou t J: around beef at 79 cents a pound or three pounds for $2.2°; pork chops at 69 cents a pound, turkey drumsticks at 39 cents a pound; ring bologna at $1.19 a pound; smoked sausage at $1.29 a pound; franks at 69 cents for a 12 ounce package; old fashione< loaf at 99 cents a pound; 2 poi nd can of Folgers coffee for J. 89; four bars of Dial soap for SI.00; a 10 ounce box of Cheerios for 47 cents; three loaves of white bread for 89 cents; a pound of butter for 79 cents; a half gallon of ice cream for 69 cents; bananas at 12 cents a pound; cauliflower at 49 cents each; and eight 16 ounce bottles of RC cola for 96 cents. 1969 A 23 car train wreck of a Penn Central Railroad train, involving some box ars loaded with M-16 rifles, occured Tuesday morning at approximately 7:50 a.m. in North Liberty, just south of the State Road 4 crossing. The south bound train evidently derailed between the two engines and 23 cars and the second engine left the tracks in the accident. Included in the damage was Wells Plant No. 1 which was struck by one of the derailed cars, knocking a sizeable hole in the west wall, no one was injured. The south bound train, 74 cars in all, tore up several hundred yards of track and blocked the State Road 4 crossing until an engine could be sent to pull the remaining upright cars out of the area. North Liberty Elementary School will observe American Education WeG during November 10 - 14 with parents being invited to visit the school to observe their children s classes and to meet the teachers and staff. At the market chuck roast was Seiling for 59 cents a pound; swiss steak at 89 cents a pound; wieners at 69 cents a pound; smoked sausage at 79 cents a pound; Del Monte pineapple-orange or pine-apple-grapefruit drinks at 4 four SI 00; six cinnamon rolls for 49 cents; a 10 inch raisin or mince pie for 89 cents; three 2‘/i size cans of Del Monte fruit cocktail for $1.00; a half gallon of ice cream for 79 ents; two pound can of Manor House coffee for $1.29; three cans of tuna for $1.00; Pillsbury cake mixes for 29 cents; 10 pounds of Idaho potatoes for 89 cents; cranberrys at 33 cents a pound; cabbage at 9 cents a pound; and two pounds of carrots for 29 cents. 1959 After weighing the discussions and viewing the options of the interested citizens of the Town of North Liberty, the town board voted in favor of accepting the offer from the Northern Indiana Public Service Company for the letting of a contract to have the gas franchise in North Liberty. The meeting was advertised as a public hearing, but no one attended to object to the granting of the franchise. A split board was elected to office for North Liberty at the polls on Tuesday as two Republicans and one Democrat were elected to serve as the Town Council for the next four years. Carl Eskridge, the clerk-treasurer for

many years, was agaion unopposed in his re-election for that position. Workmen from Engineering Construction, of Logansport, began the work of laying the new water main on South Main Street, Nort Liberty, on Monday morning. Fourteen-himdred feet of new main will be laM from the Center Street corner south to the new plant of the W e |is Aluminum Corp. The workmen plan to have the work completed in about two weeks. The North Liberty Shamrocks opened their regular season play of basketball to a victory over West High by a score of 64-32. The next game will be at home against Lakeville. VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Regards To Clerk-Treasurer’s Rebuttal Os Nov. 1, 1984 After laboring long to make an honest effort to solve the intricate water meter operation, it seems the clerk-treasurer has shut out all the facets of logic and just doesn't want to listen to a wee bit of reason. The clerk-treasurer, who appears to be the final authority and advisor to whatever form of municipal government Walkerton, Indiana embraces, feels that regardless of the facts, she will prevail. I believe this type of government is dictatorial. I’ve presented my case adequately, I’m sure, but if the clerktreasurer is going to ignore the evidence and make decisions based on only what will serve the purpose of that office, it seems the people of Walkerton have very little to say about their own governmental policies. Analogies to this type of government practice can readily be found in comparing them to Hitler - Stalin - Castro • and many of the new dictators throughout the world. Your rebuttal verifies the sophistry (fallacious reasoning), erroneous, twisted, irrevelant and argumentive replies 1 have received. Correction: at NO time have I said — indicated — or acknowledged — that I “understood” why water meter readings fluctuated up — then — down. At the September Board meeting, you gave a meager, mixed-up supposition of this — that even the members of the Board couldn’t understand. You, Mr. Williams of the water department, or any members of the Town Board did NOT, and have NOT, given me any explanations as to why these EIGHT water meter readings fluctuated up — then — down. A water department man told us the new meter would be set for a ’consecutive’ reading with the former meter. At the September Board meeting, the first question 1 asked was: “Is a new water meter set to have a consecutive reading with the former water meter?” Reply from City Council was “yes”. This question and answer should be on the Town Council minutes tape. However, in your rebuttal you state, “the second meter went in at a lower number than the first meter came out at.” 1 gave the eight fluctuating meter readings in both the September 27 and October 18 issues of The Independent-News. There are THREE readings on this August 1, 1984 meter changeout slip: 1,173,500 minus 1,167,800 — totaling 5,700. Using “lower number” you mention would mean the new meter started at the July 16 reading of 1,167,800. The third reading on this changeout slip is August 3, with a reading of 1, 174,700 — however, deducting the August 1, new meter reading “low number” of 1,167,800, would amount to a water useage of 6,900 gallons in two days. Then the readings go DOWN: August 6, 1,160.200 — August 16, 1,153,300. Subtracting the August 16 reading of 1,153.300 from the July 16 reading of 1.176.800 would mean

you were CREDITING us with 14.500 gallons — and how can a meter run backward? It's interesting that the above 5,700 gallons and credit of 14,500 gallons exactly totals that 20.200 gallon figure that I mentioned in the October 25, IndependentNews, re: we used 2,200 gallons in June. In the October 25 IndependentNews, I explicitly explained that by Walkerton Town Office including the 22,700 gallons, the total is 39,400 gallons from beginning to present. However, according to our beginning to present water meter readings, the total is 24.900 gallons — according to your own figures! Not one of my questions has been answered by the clerk-treas-urer or by the Walkerton Town Board. You are complete ignoring the explanations, facts, figures and questions I have given in the September 27, October 4, October 18 and Oct. 25 issues of The In-dependent-News. 1 am herewith requesting from the clerk-treasurer of the Town of Walkerton, by this registered, re-turn-receipt letter, — clear copies of the following data to be mailed to me at the earliest possible date: 1. Slip from previous resident final — and our beginning readings. 2. Copy of meter reading page book for our account, and for previous resident. 3. Change-out slip for water meter being changed August 1— dearly giving the END reading of the former meter — and the START reading of the new meter. 4. Is our water meter a % inch, or a 1 inch? 5. Clear copy of computer-print-out for previous resident final bill. In your rebuttal you continue to give the same false statements and reasonings that I have received since I first brought attention to the 22,700 gallon charge. You stated twice “pay the bill” in this brief, fact-avoiding reply. Would you like to pay for something you didn't receive? It takes no talent to dictatorily say “pay your bill — you’re no better than anyone else” — any sarcastic person can repeatedly say that. It DOES require a certain talent of finesse, courtesy and helpful attitude to cooperate with the public — and serving the public requires a consistent personality, not a Jekyl-Hyde. depending on who is present, or not present, at the time. You had all the data at your disposal that you could have shown me and worked WITH me — in stead of making me delve and struggle to try to find an understandable solution — and finally making it necessary for me to request the above information. in the October 25, 1984 issue of The Independent-News, I made a clear, logical, understandable de duction that it seemed evident a computer error had been made in June. Also, isn’t it possible that meter readings could be juggled to cover up computer errors? There were times I was tempted to just pay for the 20,500 gallons of water we didn’t use — however, your put-down inuendos, dictator- ! ial, demanding attitude and lack of cooperation — have spurred me on i until this matter reaches a clear and understandable conclusion. ( At first I thought 1 was alone in • sticking to my principle when I । knew an error had been made — but I’m appreciated and gratified to learn many Walkerton residents have experience the same exorbi- » tant, fluctuating, and inconsistent । readings and billings — and the । same dictatorial demands to “pay I bill” and "brick-wall” arguments, I fallacious readings, changing of meters, etc., which still haven't solved problems. I thank — and may God bless the people who are offering me their support regarding this utility situa i tion. ! Sincerely. Mrs. Shirley Magner